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Varitek making an impact in camp

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FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Pedro Martinez isn't the only prominent former member of the Red Sox who is making his debut as an instructor this spring. Jason Varitek has also been a frequent presence, and the former catcher was in the trenches during several drills on Tuesday.

Varitek, who retired a year ago, is a special assistant to general manager Ben Cherington, the same title Martinez has.

"You've got two very successful players that have been leaders in their own right at their respective positions. They've achieved team success as much as anyone who have ever played the game, particularly in this uniform," said manager John Farrell. "I think they're both so respected and they're so respective of the city of Boston, the organization, that they want to give back, and they've got a great opportunity to do just that."

Of course, Varitek's emphasis in camp will be with the catchers.

"It feels good, having a guy like him that you respected growing up and then you got to play with him," said Jarrod Saltalamacchia. "It's nice having him out there, because he's a guy that I've gone to in the past, and I can still go to him. He's there, but you don't feel like he's stepping on anybody's toes."